Dealing with Fleas

zeke · Heavy Crude Joined: Dec 07, 2007 Posts: 162

lately our household has been dealing with pet fleas.

fortunately, I am too ornery for the little devils, but our pets are being tormented.

we've been using botanicals with mixed success; temporary relief seems to happen, but we don't kill off the population. We are doing the borax thing on the carpets, vacuuming, washing bedding, etc.

It looks like we'll be turning to Advantage to vanquish the bugs.

This whole experience has made me wonder how fleas, ticks and other such pests will be dealt with post-carbon?

I guess most of us will be on the same footing as any other fur-bearing critter, except we'll be contending with Super Fleas, who've adapted to many of the petroleum-based miracle chemicals we've thrown at them.

Right now, a flea infestation is serious, but one I can envision coming to an end, thanks to the availability of various products.

But post-oil, I can see a flea infestation as being *far* more serious, and wonder if there are folks out there who have tried and true methods for dealing with it?

thank you!

zeke
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Cloud9 · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jul 26, 2006 Posts: 931

Cracker remedies: Plant myrtles in the yard.

Ludi · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

Daily combing with a flea comb.
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Fishman · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:53 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

In Africa they grew pyrethrum plants, dried the heads, sprinkled the floor with the dried heads then swept the area. A bit of bad news however, up until machine cloths washing (thus less frequent washing) body lice were VERY common. Soldiers in the US Civil War would frequently place lice on a plate and race them against each other during times of boredom.

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1036

When I bought this old house, the previous owner apparently had at least one dog. I arrived with 3 cats. During the summer and winter, the fleas were not a problem. The Spring and Fall, however, brought with it conditions which were ideal. The damb things were all over me. I tried sprays, bombs, dusts, pyretrhins, Advantage, flea shampoo (wear a thick, long sleeve sweatshirt), all with limited success. The things returned, each time with a greater tolerance to what I've used before.

The answer was in keeping the animals out of the house. I've been flea free for the last 2 years.
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Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1347

Yep. Seems to me we're heading back to no indoor pets.
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CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1369

If the fleas are in the carpet, vaccuuming will only get part of them. Even if you get most of the fleas, their eggs are still there, waiting to hatch and re-infest. So what I have done in the past to deal with carpet fleas is... Vaccuum first, then sprinkle a good bit of salt all over the carpet, brush it in, and let it stand several hours. This will not only kill any remaining fleas, but their eggs, too. Then vaccuum up the salt. It does help.

I wonder if something like pennyroyal (or other essential oils) would help deter the fleas from the animals? I know it works in keeping bugs out of stored foods.... just a thought.
K

Ludi · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:30 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

Heineken · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

I use Frontline Plus on my dog, and will continue to do so as long as it's available and I can afford it (it's very expensive). Fleas aren't the only issue here; so are ticks, which my dog imports into the house.

A couple of important things about Frontline: The instructions and your vet will say to apply it monthly, but this is bullshit. During the height of the bug season I apply it once every six weeks. During the spring and fall I use it only once every two months or more. In winter I use it not at all. She gets her last application in November and that's usually it until, say, March. So I'm using only about six packets per year instead of twelve, which vastly reduces the cost and any potential harm to the dog or me.

I never find a flea on her, and the ticks on her are usually dead or dying by the time I see them.

Application technique is very important. Get as much of the liquid on the skin between the shoulder blades (where the dog can't lick) as possible, and try to avoid the fur. Wear eye protection. Keep the dog from shaking for at least 15 minutes. I play a game with my dog with treats that holds her attention, and I make her lie down, which helps prevent shaking.
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CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1369

Thanks Ludi. I wasn't sure. That's why I asked.

I agree with you too, Heineken. There's absolutely no reason to use the stuff every month. I do like you do - only in the height of the season. Wintertime, my dogs get nothing on them. We haven't ever had an outbreak of fleas in our house.... and we have FIVE dogs - 3 big ones. Smile

K

Heineken · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

The only time I've ever dealt with fleas in my house was when I was a young man living in a tiny, carpeted efficiency. I had a cat, and Frontline didn't exist then.

The sensation of fleas jumping from the carpet onto your naked legs and sticking their mouthparts into your flesh is very strange indeed.
_________________
"Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog

"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother

SoothSayer · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

We once bought a house which had been standing empty for several weeks.

Apparently several cats used to live in the carpeted attic room.

After several weeks of no cats being around the fleas in that carpet were VERY hungry.

We were INSTANTLY bitten to pieces by the things as soon as we walked into that room.

Moral of the story: no carpets!
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strider3700 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with Fleas

getting rid of our carpets was one of the best reno's we've ever done for this and so many other reasons.
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JJ · Heavy Crude Joined: Aug 07, 2007 Posts: 277

I never thought of the no-carpet thing, but we have no carpet. The back yard was infested BAD; our HUGE next door neighbors have a bunch of dogs they never take care of, and their fleas come into our yard. Even though the dogs get frontline once a month (in the summer, also) they were covered with fleas BAD. First spectracide; after two weeks still as many if not more fleas; then ten pounds salt. (The back yard is just dirt). Then finally, more poison. UGGGGHHHHH. However, no fleas anymore; never had any in the house, but Bing doesn't allow the dogs in the house and sweeps EVERY day.

TreeFarmer · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 299

Sevin dust, powder your yard well.
Frontline your pets.
Sevin dust your carpet and go on vacation for 2 weeks. Come back and vacuum your carpets and airout your house.

You should be flea free.

TF

P.S. This is some advice that I would not follow....